TV licences ready by October, NBTC says

The committee is working on the overall TV broadcasting-licensing plan, he added.
Yesterday it approved the three draft regulations for switching the analogue TV system to digital, for controlling set-top boxes, and for technical standards of providing terrestrial digital TV. It will submit them for the NBTC’s consideration next week and hold public hearings on them within 45 days after that.
It will also hold a public hearing on the draft of broadcasting TV licensing terms and conditions today. Can cut any or all of last 3 paras for space.
The three classes of broadcasting licences were also published in the Royal Gazette. The three categories are broadcasting facility providers, broadcasting service providers and broadcasting network providers. All three licences can be used to provide services ranging from digital TV to cable and satellite TV.
Natee said that from the way things were progressing, the broadcasting committee was expected to be able to grant the cable, satellite and pay TV licences as well as digital TV licences for public use by October and commercial digital TV licences early next year.
The committee is also drafting a plan to allocate the TV broadcasting spectrum bands, which will determine the number of public and commercial digital TV channels. It has hired a team from the International Telecommunication Union to evaluate the radio and TV bands before the regulator awards broadcasting licences. – The Nation.

Red Bull maker
in IP charge
The Philippine Department of Justice has found probable cause to indict officers of TC Pharmaceutical Industries (TCP), the manufacturer of Red Bull energy drink, and its Philippine distributor for alleged violation of intellectual-property and food-safety regulations. Officials of Maryland Distributors Inc (MDI) could also face charges.
The case stemmed from a complaint lodged by Energy Food and Drinks Inc (EFDI), a local company authorised by TCP as the exclusive Philippine distributor of Red Bull Supreme Energy Drink. EFDI complained that there was a proliferation in the market of Red Bull products with “MDI” stickers superimposed on the portion of the label that identified EFDI as the product’s exclusive distributor. By law, as exclusive distributor, EFDI’s name must be indicated on the label. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

BOI privileges
The Board of Investment yesterday approved investment support privileges worth more than Bt13.379 billion to 24 projects under the measures for business restoration after last year’s flood disaster. – The Nation